Chaining up for Conn. blizzard not so easy

Rob Varnon

Updated 6:57 pm, Friday, February 8, 2013

Photo: JOERG KOCH, AFP/Getty Images

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A man attaches snow chains to the wheels of his car near the southern German town of Oberstaufen on December 11, 2009. Heavy snowfall was reported in the southern part of the country. AFP PHOTO DDP / JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images) less

A man attaches snow chains to the wheels of his car near the southern German town of Oberstaufen on December 11, 2009. Heavy snowfall was reported in the southern part of the country. AFP PHOTO DDP / JOERG ... more

Photo: JOERG KOCH, AFP/Getty Images

Chaining up for Conn. blizzard not so easy

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Friday brought a snow-chain kind of storm to the region, but for those who had to hit the roads, finding that extra traction proved difficult.

Many auto part stores either stopped carrying or drastically reduced their stock in today's version of snow chains for cars, which are actually banded cables that are a lot easier to put on than the old linked chains your father used to swear at. It's just part of a weather pattern that hasn't produced a need for them.

"There's not a demand for them. This region doesn't get -- I say this with a grain of salt now -- doesn't get harsh winters like the Dakotas, Alaska or Utah," she said. "The blizzards don't last for days."

In some parts of the country, people aren't allowed on roads unless they have chains or snow tires, including a section of Interstate 80 that runs through the Sierra Nevadas.

Mayko said storms roll in for a day or two and then they're gone and people dig out and return to work.

Still, there might be a use for them, she said, for people who live on a hill or are in a job where they have to be there on days like Friday or Saturday.

Around the region, auto part stores reported a dearth of supply, though the Pep Boys in Orange said it sold 10 sets of its limited stock on Friday morning.

Its Bridgeport sister store didn't carry them and neither did Sears' Auto Center or Townfair Tires.

NAPA stores were hit and miss, with one in Milford shop reporting it had to order chains from its warehouse a few days ago for a municipal customer and one Danbury store saying it had a small supply but so far people weren't clamoring for them.

What people were looking for, the auto parts dealers said, were new wiper blades, batteries, parts and accessories for home generators, snow shovels and brushes. Some people came in and replaced batteries in their cars.

Town Fair Tire reported it saw people earlier in the week who were putting on snow tires.

There are some things people should have in their cars if they do venture out in storms like this.

Flashlight, water, a shovel, blanket, maybe some snack food like Pop Tarts or Cliff bars and an emergency breakdown kit that includes flares or a battery-powered equivalent.

Mayko said this tip might be a little late for this storm, but people should have their cars in top running condition, check batteries, have the washer fluid filled and make sure their tires are good.

She said when driving in these kinds of conditions, they should also drive slower and provide more distance between themselves and other cars.